Pre and post cloning characterization of a β-1,4-endoglucanase from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Bacillus</Emphasis> sp.

Consistent with its precloning characterization from the cellulolytic Bacillus sp., β-1,4-endoglucanase purified from the recombinant E. coli exhibited maximum activity at 60°C and pH 7.0. It was highly specific for CMC hydrolysis, with stability up to 70°C and over a pH range of 6.0–8.0. The K _m and V _max values for CMCase activity of the enzyme were 4.1 mg/ml and 25 μmole/ml min⁻¹, respectively. The purified enzyme was a monomer of 65 kDa, as determined by SDS-PAGE. The presence of sucrose and IPTG in fermentation media increased the endoglucanase activity of the recombinant enzyme to 5.2-folds as compared with that of the actual one.     

Effects of salts on activity of halophilic cellulase with glucomannanase activity isolated from alkaliphilic and halophilic Bacillus sp. BG-CS10

Alkaliphilic and halophilic Bacillus sp. BG-CS10 was isolated from Zabuye Salt Lake, Tibet. The gene celB, encoding a halophilic cellulase was identified from the genomic library of BG-CS10. CelB belongs to the cellulase superfamily and DUF291 superfamily, with an unknown function domain and less than 58% identity to other cellulases in GenBank. The purified recombinant protein (molecular weight: 62 kDa) can hydrolyze soluble cellulose substrates containing beta-1,4-linkages, such as carboxylmethyl cellulose and konjac glucomannan, but has no exoglucanase and β-glucosidase activities. Thus, CelB is a cellulase with an endo mode of action and glucomannanase activity. Interestingly, the enzyme activity was increased approximately tenfold with 2.5 M NaCl or 3 M KCl. Furthermore, the optimal temperatures were 55°C with 2.5 M NaCl and 35°C without NaCl, respectively. This indicates that NaCl can improve enzyme thermostability. The K _m and k _cat values of CelB for CMC with 2.5 M NaCl were 3.18 mg mL⁻¹ and 26 s⁻¹, while the K _m and k _cat values of CelB without NaCl were 6.6 mg mL⁻¹ and 2.1 s⁻¹. Thus, this thermo-stable, salt and pH-tolerant cellulase is a promising candidate for industrial applications, and provides a new model to study salt effects on the structure of protein.     

Molecular cloning,purification and characterization of two endo-1,4-β-glucanases from Aspergillus oryzae KBN616

Two endo-1,4-β-glucanase genes, designated celA and celB, from a shoyu koji mold Aspergillus oryzae KBN616, were cloned and characterized. The celA gene comprised 877 bp with two introns. The CelA protein consisted of 239 amino acids and was assigned to the cellulase family H. The celB gene comprised 1248 bp with no introns. The CelB protein consisted of 416 amino acids and was assigned to the cellulase family C. Both genes were overexpressed under the promoter of the A. oryzae taka-amylase A gene for purification and enzymatic characterization of CelA and CelB. CelA had a molecular mass of 31 kDa, a pH optimum of 5.0 and temperature optimum of 55 °C, whereas CelB had a molecular mass of 53 kDa, a pH optimum of 4.0 and temperature optimum of 45 °C. Received: 3 July 1996 / Accepted: 15 July 1996     

Distribution and Properties of Endo-β-1,4-glucanase from a Lower Termite,Coptotermes formosanus (Shiraki)

A multi-enzyme distribution of endo-β-1,4-glucanase activity was found in the digestive system of a worker caste of the lower termite Coptotermes formosanus (Shiraki) by zymogram analysis. Its distribution analysis demonstrated that about 80% of this activity was localized in salivary glands from where only one component (EG-E) was secreted into the digestive tract.

EG-E was isolated by a combination of chromatographic and electrophoretic techniques. Its molecular mass, optimal pH and temperature, isoelectric point, and K _m were 48 kDa, 6.0, 50°C, 4.2, and 3.8 (mg/ml on carboxymethylcellulose), respectively. EG-E hydrolyzed cellooligosaccharides with a degree of polymerization of 4 and larger, and had low activity on crystalline cellulose. Main reaction products from low molecular weight cellulose were cellobiose and cellotriose. The N-terminal amino acid sequence of EG-E has similarity with fungal endo-β-1,4-glucanases and cellobiohydrolases of the glycosyl hydrolase family 7 rather than the other insect endo-β-1,4-glucanases of family 9.     

Production of alkaliphilic, halotolerent, thermostable cellulase free xylanase by Bacillus halodurans PPKS-2 using agro waste: single step purification and characterization

The alkaliphilic Bacillus halodurans strain PPKS-2 was shown to produce extracellular alkaliphilic, thermostable and halotolerent xylanase. The culture conditions for xylanase production were optimized with respect to pH, temperature, NaCl and inexpensive agro waste as substrates. Xylanase yield was enhanced more than four fold in the presence of 1% corn husk and 0.5% peptone or feather hydrolysate at pH 11 and 37°C. Xylanase was purified to 11.8-fold with 8.7% yield by using traditional chromatographic methods whereas the same enzyme purified to 20-fold with 72% yield by using corn husk as ligand. Its molecular mass was estimated to be 24 kDa by SDS–PAGE. The xylanase had maximal activity at pH 11 and 70°C. The enzyme was active over broad range, 0–20% sodium chloride. The enzyme was thermostable retaining 100% of the original activity at 70°C for 3 h. The apparent K _m values for oat spelt xylan and brichwood xylan were 4.1 and 4.4 mg/ml respectively. The deduced internal amino acid sequence of PPKS-2 xylanase resembled the sequence of β-1,4-endoxylanase, which is member of glycoside hydrolase family 11.     

Symbiotic <Emphasis Type="Italic">Streptomyces</Emphasis> sp. TN119 GH 11 xylanase: a new pH-stable,protease- and SDS-resistant xylanase

A pH-stable and protease-resistant xylanase (XynB119) was identified from Streptomyces sp. TN119, a strain isolated from the gut luminal contents of longhorned beetle (Batocera horsfieldi) larvae. Using the GC TAIL-PCR method, the 1,026-bp coding gene (xynB119) with 67.3% GC content was successfully cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli. It encodes a 341-residue polypeptide with a calculated molecular mass of 35.9 kDa, including a putative 41-residue signal peptide, a catalytic domain of glycosyl hydrolase (GH) family 11, a short Gly/Pro-rich linker, and a family 2 cellulose-binding domain (CBM 2). The deduced amino acid sequence is most similar to (61.9% identity) an endo-1,4-β-xylanase from Streptomyces thermoviolaceus OPC-520. Purified recombinant XynB119 exhibited peak activity at 50°C and pH 7.0, remained stable over a broad pH range (retaining >70% activity after incubation at pH 1.0–11.0 for 1 h at 37°C without substrate), had strong protease resistance (retaining >90% activity after proteolytic treatment at 37°C for 1 h) and SDS resistance (at 100 mM). These properties make XynB119 promising for application in the feed industry and valuable for basic research. Compared to r-XynB119, the r-XynB119 derivative without CBM 2 and linker region (r-XynB119d) exhibited a decreased pH stability of >25% at extreme pHs (pH 1.0–3.0 and pH 11.0–12.0).     

Homologue expression of a β-xylosidase from native <Emphasis Type="Italic">Aspergillus niger</Emphasis>

Xylan constitutes the second most abundant source of renewable organic carbon on earth and is located in the cell walls of hardwood and softwood plants in the form of hemicellulose. Based on its availability, there is a growing interest in production of xylanolytic enzymes for industrial applications. β-1,4-xylan xylosidase (EC 3.2.1.37) hydrolyses from the nonreducing end of xylooligosaccharides arising from endo-1,4-β-xylanase activity. This work reports the partial characterization of a purified β-xylosidase from the native strain Aspergillus niger GS1 expressed by means of a fungal system. A gene encoding β-xylosidase, xlnD, was successfully cloned from a native A. niger GS1 strain. The recombinant enzyme was expressed in A. niger AB4.1 under control of A. nidulans gpdA promoter and trpC terminator. β-xylosidase was purified by affinity chromatography, with an apparent molecular weight of 90 kDa, and showed a maximum activity of 4,280 U mg protein⁻¹ at 70°C, pH 3.6. Half-life was 74 min at 70°C, activation energy was 58.9 kJ mol⁻¹, and at 50°C optimum stability was shown at pH 4.0–5.0. β-xylosidase kept residual activity >83% in the presence of dithiothreitol (DTT), β-mercaptoethanol, sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), ethylenediaminetetraacetate (EDTA), and Zn²⁺. Production of a hemicellulolytic free xylosidase showed some advantages in applications, such as animal feed, enzymatic synthesis, and the fruit-juice industry where the presence of certain compounds, high temperatures, and acid media is unavoidable in the juice-making process.     

Thermostable alkaline cellulase from an alkaliphilic isolate, Bacillus sp. KSM-S237

Thermostable alkaline cellulase (endo-1,4-β-glucanase, EC 3.2.1.4) activity was detected in the culture medium of a strictly alkaliphilic strain of Bacillus, designated KSM-S237. This novel enzyme was purified to homogeneity by a two-step column-chromatographic procedure with high yield. The N-terminal amino acid sequence of the purified enzyme was Glu-Gly-Asn-Thr-Arg-Glu-Asp-Asn-Phe-Lys-His-Leu-Leu-Gly-Asn-Asp-Asn-Val-Lys-Arg. The enzyme had a molecular mass of approximately 86 kDa and an isoelectric point of pH 3.8. The enzyme had a pH optimum of 8.6–9.0 and displayed maximum activity at 45°C. The alkaline enzyme was stable up to 50°C and more than 30% of the original activity was detectable after heating at 100°C and at pH 9.0 for 10 min. The enzyme hydrolyzed carboxymethylcellulose, lichenan (β-1,3;1,4-linkage), and p-nitrophenyl derivatives of cellotriose and cellotetraose. Crystalline forms of cellulose (Avicel and filter paper), H₃PO₄-swollen cellulose, NaOH-swollen cellulose, curdlan (β-1,3-linkage), laminarin (β-1,3;1,6-linkage), and xylan were barely hydrolyzed at all. Received: April 28, 1997 / Accepted: May 24, 1997     

Purification, biochemical characterization, and structure of recombinant endo-1,4-β-xylanase XylE

The gene xylE encoding endo-1,4-β-xylanase from the 10th family of glycosyl hydrolases produced by the mycelial fungus Penicillium canescens has been expressed under the control of the strong promoter of the bgaS gene encoding β-galactosidase from P. canescens. As a result, a strain-producer of endoxylanase XylE was developed. The recombinant enzyme was isolated and purified to homogeneity with specific activity of 50 U/mg. The physicochemical and biochemical properties of the endoxylanase were studied. The maximal enzymatic activity was observed at pH 6.0 and 70°C. Endoxylanase XylE was shown to be a highly thermostable enzyme with half-inactivation period τ_1/2 of 7 h at 60°C. The kinetic parameters were 0.52 mg/ml (K _m) and 75 μmol/min per mg (V _max) using birch xylan as the substrate. Crystals of endoxylonase XylE were obtained, and the 3D structure was solved at 1.47 ? resolution. The 3D structure of an endo-1,4-β-xylanase from the 10th family containing carbohydrate and unique cyclic structure located at the C-terminus of the polypeptide chain was obtained for the first time.     

Characterization of a thermostable endo-1,5-α-<Emphasis Type="SmallCaps">l</Emphasis>-arabinanase from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Caldicellulorsiruptor saccharolyticus</Emphasis>

A recombinant putative glycoside hydrolase from Caldicellulosiruptor saccharolyticus was purified with a specific activity of 12 U mg⁻¹ by heat treatment and His-Trap affinity chromatography, and identified as a single 56 kDa band upon SDS-PAGE. The native enzyme is a dimer with a molecular mass of 112 kDa as determined by gel filtration. The enzyme exhibited its highest activity when debranched arabinan (1,5-α-l-arabinan) was used as the substrate, demonstrating that the enzyme was an endo-1,5-α-l-arabinanase. The K _m, k _cat, and k _cat/K _m values were 18 mg ml⁻¹, 50 s⁻¹, and a 2.8 mg ml⁻¹ s⁻¹, respectively. Maximum enzyme activity was at pH 6.5 and 75°C. The half-lives of the enzyme at 65, 70 and 75°C were 2440, 254 and 93 h, respectively, indicating that it is the most thermostable of the known endo-1,5-α-l-arabinanases.     

A new xylanase from thermoacidophilic Alicyclobacillus sp. A4 with broad-range pH activity and pH stability

We have identified a highly pH-adaptable and stable xylanase (XynA4) from the thermoacidophilic Alicyclobacillus sp. A4, a strain that was isolated from a hot spring in Yunnan Province, China. The gene (xynA4) that encodes this xylanase was cloned, sequenced, and expressed in Escherichia coli. It encodes a 338-residue polypeptide with a calculated molecular mass of 42.5 kDa. The deduced amino acid sequence is most similar to (53% identity) an endo-1,4-β-xylanase from Geobacillus stearothermophilus that belongs to family 10 of the glycoside hydrolases. Purified recombinant XynA4 exhibited maximum activity at 55°C and pH 7.0, had broad pH adaptability (>40% activity at pH 3.8–9.4) and stability (retaining >80% activity after incubation at pH 2.6–12.0 for 1 h at 37°C), and was highly thermostable (retaining >90% activity after incubation at 60°C for 1 h at pH 7.0). These properties make XynA4 promising for application in the paper industry. This is the first report that describes cloning and expression of a xylanase gene from the genus Alicyclobacillus.     

Production of high activity Aspergillus niger BCC4525 β-mannanase in Pichia pastoris and its application for mannooligosaccharides production from biomass hydrolysis

A cDNA encoding β-mannanase was cloned from Aspergillus niger BCC4525 and expressed in Pichia pastoris KM71. The secreted enzyme hydrolyzed locust bean gum substrate with very high activity (1625 U/mL) and a relatively high k_cat/K_m (461 mg^?1 s^?1 mL). The enzyme is thermophilic and thermostable with an optimal temperature of 70 °C and 40% retention of endo-β-1,4-mannanase activity after preincubation at 70 °C. In addition, the enzyme exhibited broad pH stability with an optimal pH of 5.5. The recombinant enzyme hydrolyzes low-cost biomass, including palm kernel meal (PKM) and copra meal, to produce mannooligosaccharides, which is used as prebiotics to promote the growth of beneficial microflora in animals. An in vitro digestibility test simulating the gastrointestinal tract system of broilers suggested that the recombinant β-mannanase could effectively liberate reducing sugars from PKM-containing diet. These characteristics render this enzyme suitable for utilization as a feed additive to improve animal performance.     

Catalytic properties of a GH10 endo-β-1,4-xylanase from Streptomyces thermocarboxydus HY-15 isolated from the gut of Eisenia fetida

A novel GH10 endo-β-1,4-xylanase (XylG) gene from Streptomyces thermocarboxydus HY-15, which was isolated from the gut of Eisenia fetida, was cloned, over-expressed, and characterized. The XylG gene (1182 bp) encoded a polypeptide of 393 amino acids with a deduced molecular mass of 43,962 Da and a calculated pI of 6.74. The primary structure of XylG was 69% similar to that of Thermobifida fusca YX endo-β-1,4-xylanase. It was most active at pH 6.0 and 55 °C. The susceptibilities of xylans to XylG were as follows: oat spelt xylan > birchwood xylan > beechwood xylan. The XylG also showed high activity (474 IU/mg) toward p-nitrophenylcellobioside. Moreover, at pH 6.0 and 50 °C, the V_max and K_m values of the XylG were 127 IU/mg and 2.51 mg/ml, respectively, for oat spelt xylan and 782 IU/mg and 5.26 mM, respectively, for p-nitrophenylcellobioside. A homology model indicated that XylG folded to form a (β/α)₈-barrel with two catalytic residues of an acid/base (Glu181) and a nucleophile (Glu289). The formation of a disulfide bond between Cys321 and Cys327 were predicted by homology modeling.     

Gene cloning, characterization, and heterologous expression of levansucrase from Bacillus amyloliquefaciens

Although levan produced by Bacillus amyloliquefaciens is known to have efficient immunostimulant property which gives 100% survival of common carp when infected with Aeromonas hydrophila, no detailed reports are available describing kinetic studies of d-glucose production and levan formation. In this study, we cloned and characterized the enzymatic kinetics using levansucrase expressed in Escherichia coli. Optimum pH for d-glucose production and levan formation was 6.0 and 8.0, respectively, whereas optimum temperature was 30°C and 4°C, respectively. The K _m and V _max values for levansucrase were calculated to be 47.81 mM sucrose and 57.47 μmole/min mg protein, respectively. Prominent expression of levansucrase was obtained through xylose induction in Bacillus megaterium, where most of the His₆-tagged protein was secreted into the culture broth, giving levansucrase activity of 12,906 U/l. Response-surface methodology (RSM) was further employed to optimize the fermentation conditions and improve the level of levansucrase production. Maximum levansucrase activity of 20,251 U/l was obtained in 12 h of fermentation carried out at 28°C, starting induction with 0.735% xylose when A ₆₀₀ was 1.2, which was 1.6- and 62-fold higher than those obtained in the nonoptimized conditions for the recombinant strain and the native strain, respectively.     

Characterization of a recombinant amylolytic enzyme of hyperthermophilic archaeon Thermofilum pendens with extremely thermostable maltogenic amylase activity

A gene (Tpen_1458) encoding a putative alpha amylase from hyperthermophilic archaeon Thermofilum pendens (TfMA) was cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli. The recombinant amylolytic enzyme was purified by Ni-NTA affinity chromatography and its catalytic properties were examined. Purified TfMA was extremely thermostable with a half-life of 60 min at an optimal temperature of 95°C. TfMA activity increased to 136% in the presence of 5 mM CaCl₂. Maximal activity was measured toward γ-cyclodextrin with a specific activity of 56 U/mg using copper bicinchoninate method. TfMA catalyzed the ring-opening reaction by cleaving one α-1,4-glycosidic linkage of cyclodextrin to produce corresponding single maltooligosaccharide at the initial time. The final products from cyclodextrins, linear maltooligosaccharides, and starch were glucose and maltose, and TfMA could also degrade pullulan and amylase inhibitor acarbose to panose and acarviosine-glucose, respectively. These results revealed that TfMA is a novel maltogenic amylase.     

Enzymes from Sulfolobus shibatae for the production of trehalose and glucose from starch

Enzymes that convert starch and dextrins to α,α-trehalose and glucose were found in cell homogenates of the hyperthermophilic acidophilic archaeon Sulfolobus shibatae DMS 5389. Three enzymes were purified and characterized. The first, the S. shibatae trehalosyl dextrin-forming enzyme (SsTDFE), transformed starch and dextrins to the corresponding trehalosyl derivatives with an intramolecular transglycosylation process that converted the glucosidic linkage at the reducing end from α-1,4 to α-1,1. The second, the S. shibatae trehalose-forming enzyme (SsTFE), hydrolyzed the α-1,4 linkage adjacent to the α-1,1 bond of trehalosyl dextrins, forming trehalose and lower molecular weight dextrins. These two enzymes had molecular masses of 80 kDa and 65 kDa, respectively, and showed the highest activities at pH 4.5. The apparent optimal temperature for activity was 70°C for SsTDFE and 85°C for SsTFE. The third enzyme identified was an α-glycosidase (SsαGly), which catalyzed the hydrolysis of the α-1,4 glucosidic linkages in starch and dextrins, releasing glucose in a stepwise manner from the nonreducing end of the polysaccharide chain. The enzyme had a molecular mass of 313 kDa and showed the highest activity at pH 5.5 and at 85°C. Received: October 29, 1997 / Accepted: April 29, 1998     

Biochemical characterization of a novel thermostable xyloglucanase from an alkalothermophilic Thermomonospora sp.

Xyloglucanase from an extracellular culture filtrate of alkalothermophilic Thermomonospora sp. was purified to homogeneity with a molecular weight of 144 kDa as determined by SDS-PAGE and exhibited specificity towards xyloglucan with apparent K _m of 1.67 mg/ml. The enzyme was active at a broad range of pH (5–8) and temperatures (40–80°C). The optimum pH and temperature were 7 and 70°C, respectively. The enzyme retained 100% activity at 50°C for 60 h with half-lives of 14 h, 6 h and 7 min at 60, 70 and 80°C, respectively. The kinetics of thermal denaturation revealed that the inactivation at 80°C is due to unfolding of the enzyme as evidenced by the distinct red shift in the wavelength maximum of the fluorescence profile. Xyloglucanase activity was positively modulated in the presence of Zn²⁺, K⁺, cysteine, β-mercaptoethanol and polyols. Thermostability was enhanced in the presence of additives (polyols and glycine) at 80°C. A hydrolysis of 55% for galactoxyloglucan (GXG) from tamarind kernel powder (TKP) was obtained in 12 h at 60°C and 6 h at 70°C using thermostable xyloglucanases, favouring a reduction in process time and enzyme dosage. The enzyme was stable in the presence of commercial detergents (Ariel), indicating its potential as an additive to laundry detergents.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Fervidobacterium changbaicum</Emphasis> Lip1: identification,cloning, and characterization of the thermophilic lipase as a new member of bacterial lipase family V

A novel lipase gene encoded 315 amino acid residues was obtained using lipase-prospecting primers and genome walking from hyperthermophilic bacterium Fervidobacterium changbaicum CBS-1. Sequence alignment and phylogenetic analysis revealed this novel lipase is a new member of bacterial lipase family V. The recombinant enzyme F. changbaicum lipase 1 (FCLip1) showed maximum activity at 78°C and pH 7.8. It displayed extreme thermostability at 70°C and was also stable across a wide pH range from 6.0 to 12.0. Kinetic study demonstrated FCLip1 preferentially hydrolyzed middle-length acyl chains, especially p-nitrophenyl caprate and tricaprylin. With p-nitrophenyl caprate as a substrate, the enzyme exhibited a K _m and k _cat of 4.67 μM and 22.7/s, respectively. In addition, FCLip1 was resistant to various detergents and organic solvents. This enzyme is the first reported thermophilic lipase from bacterial family Thermotogaceae. Its extreme stability with respect to temperature and pH, along with its triglyceride hydrolysis activity, indicate that FCLip1 has high potential for future application.     

Characterization of a recombinant thermostable D-lyxose isomerase from Dictyoglomus turgidum that produces D-lyxose from D-xylulose

A putative d-lyxose isomerase from Dictyoglomus turgidum was purified with a specific activity of 19 U/mg for d-lyxose isomerization by heat treatment and affinity chromatography. The native enzyme was estimated as a 42 kDa dimer by gel-filtration chromatography. The activity of the enzyme was highest for d-lyxose, suggesting that it is a d-lyxose isomerase. The maximum activity of the enzyme was at pH 7.5 and 75°C in the presence of 0.5 mM Co²⁺, with a half-life of 108 min, K _m of 39 mM, and k _cat of 3,570 1/min. The enzyme is the most thermostable d-lyxose isomerase among those characterized to date. It converted 500 g d-xylulose/l to 380 g d-lyxose/l after 2 h. This is the highest concentration and productivity of d-lyxose reported thus far.     

Expression of a novel thermostable Cu,Zn-superoxide dismutase from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Chaetomium thermophilum</Emphasis> in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pichia pastoris</Emphasis> and its antioxidant properties

A new superoxide dismutase (SOD) gene from the thermophilic fungus Chaetomium thermophilum (Ctsod) was cloned and expressed in Pichia pastoris and its gene product was characterized. The specific activity of the purified CtSOD was 2,170 U/mg protein. The enzyme was inactivated by KCN and H₂O₂ but not by NaN₃, confirming that it belonged to the type of Cu, ZnSOD. The amino acid residues involved in coordinating copper and zinc were conserved. The recombinant CtSOD exhibited optimum activity at pH 6.5 and 60°C. The enzyme retained 65% of the maximum activity at 70°C for 60 min and the half-life was 22 and 7 min at 80 and 90°C, respectively. The recombinant yeast exhibited higher stress resistance than the control yeast cells to salt and superoxide-generating agents, such as paraquat and menadione.